No it's not exactly what you said. The bottom line is that there is room for MacDonald in the AHL if that's what needs to happen.
- MJL

The bottom line is AMac should not be assigned to the Phantoms unless other established defenseman vets are moved. This wouldn’t be logical.

AMac can be the Flyers 7th defensemen or be traded (or least-ideally bought out). The AHL option makes even less sense...so I don’t like to think of it as a real option. Just for you...I will call it D.

OK Easy part is exaggerated but if they keep winning at the rate they are going they will make it.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

One major part is missing. Yes, they have to continue winning at the same pace (13 wins out of 17 or 10 wins with only a loss or two at most), but at least ONE out of four teams above them have to tank HARD as well while the two teams behind them (games in hand) can't go on the same pace as the Flyers.

1) So basically win at above average percentage
2) Have multiple teams lose at below average percentage

Both criteria have to be met.

The only way it is in the Flyers control is if they win 14-15+ out of the final 17 games. So as soon as the Flyers lose 2 or 3 games, the Flyers have to win ALL remaining games, not to clinch a playoff spot, but to be in the conversation.

The only way it is in the Flyers control is if they win 14-15+ out of the final 17 games. So as soon as the Flyers lose 2 or 3 games, the Flyers have to win ALL remaining games, not to clinch a playoff spot, but to be in the conversation.
- Glak18

I know this. I am going to continue to root for them to do it. Win.

Try and stop me.

One major part is missing. Yes, they have to continue winning at the same pace (13 wins out of 17 or 10 wins with only a loss or two at most), but at least ONE out of four teams above them have to tank HARD as well while the two teams behind them (games in hand) can't go on the same pace as the Flyers.

1) So basically win at above average percentage
2) Have multiple teams lose at below average percentage

Both criteria have to be met.

The only way it is in the Flyers control is if they win 14-15+ out of the final 17 games. So as soon as the Flyers lose 2 or 3 games, the Flyers have to win ALL remaining games, not to clinch a playoff spot, but to be in the conversation.
- Glak18

All they need to do is make up the point difference and maintain it. This week has the potential for a lot of the teams ahead to lose. Even gettin 4 out of 6 points starting Sunday would be huge. All they need to do is get withing 2 points of MTL and PIT and 4 points within Carolina. The rest would be made up by beating them.

All they need to do is make up the point difference and maintain it. This week has the potential for a lot of the teams ahead to lose. Even gettin 4 out of 6 points starting Sunday would be huge. All they need to do is get withing 2 points of MTL and PIT and 4 points within Carolina. The rest would be made up by beating them.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Unfortunately for the Flyers they have Pittsburgh playing Montreal tonight. It's games like that that will foul up their chances. And I gotta think there's plenty of games where teams they are chasing are playing each other and some of those will reach OT.

I know this. I am going to continue to root for them to do it. Win.

Try and stop me.
- NC Flyers Fan

I want them to win too, but there is a difference between being realistic and hoping the team loses every game. I hope the Flyers win 13 more games, but that still isn't guaranteeing a playoff spot.

Unfortunately for the Flyers they have Pittsburgh playing Montreal tonight. It's games like that that will foul up their chances. And I gotta think there's plenty of games where teams they are chasing are playing each other and some of those will reach OT.
- Pelle31Forever

Its only unfortunate if they continue winning. Ideally if PIT beats montreal in reg and loses the next 3 that would help a lot.

Its only unfortunate if they continue winning. Ideally if PIT beats montreal in reg and loses the next 3 that would help a lot.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Yeah all the Flyers can do and control are the games THEY play. Honestly, I've been on the playoff push since the holidays.

All they need to do is make up the point difference and maintain it. This week has the potential for a lot of the teams ahead to lose. Even gettin 4 out of 6 points starting Sunday would be huge. All they need to do is get withing 2 points of MTL and PIT and 4 points within Carolina. The rest would be made up by beating them.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

The team went 16-3-3...how many points did they make up from that point?

I get it that 5-7 points seems so small and if things go absolutely perfect that can be made up in a week. Realistically it could take 10-15 games...there is only 17 games left.

It's a rollercoaster ride, the Flyers win and someone loses then it decreases then the Flyers lose and someone wins and it is back from the beginning. That's the issue, no rollercoaster is allowed it is only Flyers win and others lose.

Its only unfortunate if they continue winning. Ideally if PIT beats montreal in reg and loses the next 3 that would help a lot.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Worse Case (03/02/19)
Pittsburgh @ Montreal - Montreal Wins in OT
Edmonton @ Columbus - Columbus Wins
Carolina @ Florida - Carolina Wins in OT
Buffalo @ Toronto - Buffalo Wins

I want them to win too, but there is a difference between being realistic and hoping the team loses every game. I hope the Flyers win 13 more games, but that still isn't guaranteeing a playoff spot.
- Glak18

Oh, I understand where we are different. I hope the Flyers win Every game. I probably would be similar to you on what I think is realistic, but I don’t let that change my “compete.” Play to win. Go down swinging or shock everyone including yourself and do the improbable.

Oh, I understand where we are different. I hope the Flyers win Every game. I probably would be similar to you on what I think is realistic, but I don’t let that change my “compete.” Play to win. Go down swinging or shock everyone including yourself and do the improbable.
- NC Flyers Fan

I hope the Flyers go 82-0 next year, but then my brain slaps me.

Edit: I will do it one better, I HOPE you win the bet and you tell me how wrong I was for years and years. It will be a sports history moment that will always be remembered.

I hope the Flyers go 82-0 next year, but then my brain slaps me.

Edit: I will do it one better, I HOPE you win the bet and you tell me how wrong I was for years and years. It will be a sports history moment that will always be remembered.
- Glak18

That’s sooo sweet! Sadly, I can’t wish you to win the bet. Sorry.

I'm a big fan of fantasy made up stats!

- MJL

i don't get the hagg hate. he is fine for the 3rd pair. Now if they decide to move him or he is one of the players left for Seattle to choose from so be it.

The bottom line is AMac should not be assigned to the Phantoms unless other established defenseman vets are moved. This wouldn’t be logical.

AMac can be the Flyers 7th defensemen or be traded (or least-ideally bought out). The AHL option makes even less sense...so I don’t like to think of it as a real option. Just for you...I will call it D.
- NC Flyers Fan

if the flyers stand pat they will already have 7 dmen. Remember they also have Morin and he is not waiver exempt

At least someone is talking sense into people watching the standings. I don't have the energy to do it anymore. I'd love to be wrong but they aren't making the playoffs.

The team went 16-3-3...how many points did they make up from that point?

I get it that 5-7 points seems so small and if things go absolutely perfect that can be made up in a week. Realistically it could take 10-15 games...there is only 17 games left.

It's a rollercoaster ride, the Flyers win and someone loses then it decreases then the Flyers lose and someone wins and it is back from the beginning. That's the issue, no rollercoaster is allowed it is only Flyers win and others lose.
- Glak18

It is small 5-7 points is just 3-4 games. No one has an easy schedule now which makes it an ideal time to move up in the standings. If they continue winning, the other teams are bound to lose. Like I said they can make up 4 points on Carolina just by beating them. That is a huge dent and the reality of it is that they just need to make up 2 points outside of those 2 games

i don't get the hagg hate. he is fine for the 3rd pair. Now if they decide to move him or he is one of the players left for Seattle to choose from so be it.
- nastyflyergirl

Hagg hate has 2 main levels to it....

1) He was considered to be cBlocking Sanheim last year and then considered to be blocking Myers this year. Even though he only has 20 some games more than Sanheim in NHL experience.

2) Someone has to be hated, it's the Flyers fan way.

Every defenseman has to be a smooth skating, puck moving power house to be good...even though in the history of the NHL no team has ever won a cup without having multiple defensemen who play the same style and skillset of Hagg. But it's the new age of hockey where something that has never been done is the answer.


Hypothetically if MacDonald and Hagg are off the Flyers roster next year, the hate will be directed at Gudas and Provorov. Sanheim and Myers are still young and every mistake will be excused because they are developing. Morin will make mistakes, but his mistakes will be excused for his injury. Ghost doesn't make mistakes, every mistake he makes is because Hakstol sucks (even though his best years were under Hak) and now Gordon doesn't use him correctly. If he was used correctly his eliteness would shine.

if the flyers stand pat they will already have 7 dmen. Remember they also have Morin and he is not waiver exempt
- nastyflyergirl

I don’t like the idea of any of the young developing d-men being the 7th guy. I have no idea what trades may change the current number. I see Morin as the 6th next season and a PK specialist. Who knows.

If you'll notice I said I think he looked better than last year (and implied that he looked better than this stat shows-hence why I was surprised)

I don't think Hagg is as bad as his phancy stats show, but I also believe that if we want to be true contenders than we can find someone better for his spot in the lineup.
- bulet13

My comment was not about what you stated but rather about the stats referenced.

The bottom line is AMac should not be assigned to the Phantoms unless other established defenseman vets are moved. This wouldn’t be logical.

AMac can be the Flyers 7th defensemen or be traded (or least-ideally bought out). The AHL option makes even less sense...so I don’t like to think of it as a real option. Just for you...I will call it D.
- NC Flyers Fan

Well we disagree for the reasons I outlined earlier. Buying him out is not ideal in my opinion.

It is small 5-7 points is just 3-4 games. No one has an easy schedule now which makes it an ideal time to move up in the standings. If they continue winning, the other teams are bound to lose. Like I said they can make up 4 points on Carolina just by beating them. That is a huge dent and the reality of it is that they just need to make up 2 points outside of those 2 games
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Again even if the Flyers win both against Carolina, Carolina still have to lose to other teams more than they win.

If Carolina goes 10-8-0 the rest of the season (2 loses to the Flyers), the Flyers STILL have to win 76% of their games, basically become a better team than Tampa to finish the year, just to have a CHANCE.

i don't get the hagg hate. he is fine for the 3rd pair. Now if they decide to move him or he is one of the players left for Seattle to choose from so be it.
- nastyflyergirl

Well, fancy stats be darned. Hägg is good at what he does. I like the hits and in-your-face physical play that gets players like Malkin off their games. I don’t know if we keep him either, but it is not because he is not valuable.

A few thoughts

-I think Scott Gordon deserves a job. Not as head coach but possibly defensive coach. I know Rick Wilson just got here but he’s a Hakstol recommendation. Travis Sanheim, Robert Hägg, Phil Myers and anyone else who come from the minors are his babies. I think we need a big fish like Joel Quenneville. I just don’t want Gordon handling the Power Play at all.

-Look where JvR scores his first goal tonight. He should have been playing the slot all season. JvR has the heaviest and most accurate shot on the team IMO.

-Ryan Hartman has a real nice set up to the second JvR goal. It was a nice play. With this said, two bad turnovers in his first shift, in the defensive zone to start the game. Great Debut but underwhelming since his first game as a Flyer. I still expect him to be a very good fourth line player moving forward.

-Got to be harder on Gabriel. They picked up the physical play in the third but Patrick is gonna be as important as Giroux is now, someday. Patrick should have to take matters in his own hands. Simmonds isn't here anymore and man do we look weak without him.

The team went 16-3-3...how many points did they make up from that point?

I get it that 5-7 points seems so small and if things go absolutely perfect that can be made up in a week. Realistically it could take 10-15 games...there is only 17 games left.

It's a rollercoaster ride, the Flyers win and someone loses then it decreases then the Flyers lose and someone wins and it is back from the beginning. That's the issue, no rollercoaster is allowed it is only Flyers win and others lose.
- Glak18

That's part of the NHL point system and the masquerade of parity that it provides. It may seem small when it actuality it is not. Having to make up 7 points is a lot of ground to make up. As you stated they need a lot of help from other teams.